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Unwound

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Most everyone in this world was born, but not I.
I was created by one who desperately needed an outlet for her rage, for the horrors she suffered in youth and even though I stand unfinished, I am her favorite. Not in the sense you would think. My Mother, London Blackhouse, took the precious gift of life from others and breathed them into me with the ticks and tocks of the broken down she found in her home.
But I escaped one night with fear and pains being my only companions until I was given my first true gift. From that moment on I've learned other emotions and have decided that my only true salvation will come with the death of my deranged creator.
My time is running out. Pieces of me are beginning to fade and the only way to survive is to go back to the hell I was born in and claim my revenge.

Unknown Binding

First published October 2, 2012

2 people are currently reading
184 people want to read

About the author

Yolanda Olson

222 books1,884 followers
Yolanda Olson is a USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author. Born and raised in Bridgeport, CT where she currently resides, she usually spends her time watching her favorite channel, Investigation Discovery.

Occasionally, she takes a break to write books and test the limits of her mind. Also an avid horror movie fan, she likes to incorporate dark elements into the majority of her books.

You can keep in touch with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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5 stars
37 (68%)
4 stars
7 (12%)
3 stars
4 (7%)
2 stars
6 (11%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Alisha Cole.
Author 9 books103 followers
March 23, 2015
First off I have to say I love every single one of Yolanda's books. They are always so detailed and keep you wanting more. But after taking a step away from all the romance books I have binged on for years, I have to say it's one of the best books I have ever read in this genre. In this book we learn what it's like to be created instead of born, what it's like to have only two emotions FEAR & PAIN. When Caelum finally gets sick of all the torture he takes off into the real world. So many twist and turns I was hooked. Yolanda's writing is absolutely phenomenal you will NEVER see a storyline/plot like this. Unwound is deserving every bit of 5 stars, it is officially one of my favorites from her. So are you willing to take a chance on different? I hope so because if not you will be passing up an amazing read.
Profile Image for Alisha Cole.
Author 9 books103 followers
March 23, 2015
First off I have to say I love every single one of Yolanda's books. They are always so detailed and keep you wanting more. But after taking a step away from all the romance books I have binged on for years, I have to say it's one of the best books I have ever read in this genre. In this book we learn what it's like to be created instead of born, what it's like to have only two emotions FEAR & PAIN. When Caelum finally gets sick of all the torture he takes off into the real world. So many twist and turns I was hooked. Yolanda's writing is absolutely phenomenal you will NEVER see a storyline/plot like this. Unwound is deserving every bit of 5 stars, it is officially one of my favorites from her. So are you willing to take a chance on different? I hope so because if not you will be passing up an amazing read.
Profile Image for Nadia Debowska-Stephens (Obsessed by Books).
1,080 reviews28 followers
April 6, 2015
~*~ Obsessed by books copy given in exchange for an honest review ~*~

Nature or nurture, created by some unknown force or made by human hands what really makes us the person we become? In a future time Mother (London) has the ability to bring part clockwork, part human to life to create living feeling sentient beings that she loves to then torture, dismember and haunt. Mother lets Caelum believe he is one of a kind, that she creates and tortures the others but he is the only one she loves. He is somewhat her favourite taking great delight in her works, his scars a testament of her devotion. The unfinished parts a reminder that he needs her, the whirs and clicks of his gears a constant reminder that his life is in her hands.

Caelum undergoes an ephinany and decides he needs to escape the constant fear that is his life. Understanding that Mother is very slightly mad and things are not right, he escapes and enters the world. An act of kindness shapes the way he sees Mother and the world in general but the cruel present that London then offers him serves as a reminder - he needs to destroy what created him. He goes on a journey of self discovery meeting people and others like himself along the way. They all teach him something and he becomes stronger both mentally and physically.

Betrayal, lost love and deceptions male this a dark and twisting read. All hope is feared lost, can Mother and her beings be stopped? What caused her to become so maniacal...a story of a lost girl that creates her own companions, to torture before they too betray her. Beautifully delicious!

A four star cog whirring read.
Profile Image for Lina.
454 reviews11 followers
May 15, 2015
I have received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WOW! This was my first book by Yolanda, but certainly is not the last! I have fell in love with her writing style!

The story is told from the POV of man. But not a born man. A created one. Created by a Mother, as he is calling her, a madwoman who is finding pleasure in creating part humans, part machines.

The main character, Caelum, is her creation, her little boy. He knows he is not a normal boy, and he knows that his life is not a normal one also. He is not allowed to go outside, look outside. He loves his Mother/creator as she gave him life and there were moments when she was almost civilised to him. But the pain, the tortures are causing his hatred to be a much stronger feeling. Through his journey we get to know him, people and creations like him. He is learning how to trust, how to survive after leaving his Mother.
He is making few friends and learns how to live without her, but after he received a package from his Mother containing part of his first friend he knows he has to kill her. And there is no turning back.

This book is totally different. The style is different. The theme is different! I haven't read anything like that! Maybe except Frankenstein, but even that is not that good! In my opinion of course!

The only tiny minus are some editing mistakes, but other than that: FREAKING AWESOME book!

5 Stars!
Profile Image for bookramblings1..
459 reviews9 followers
May 18, 2015
Wow!!
Ok so I've just finished this book. Wow is exactly how I'm feeling. This is epic. Like seriously amazing.
A fabulous concept beautifully executed.
I haven't been able to put this book down all day. #sorryfamily hehe.


So I'm not going to go and do a massive in depth review for one because I hate those reviews and two you need to go in to this without a pre conceived idea of what's going down. This is such a fabulous tale I'd hate to ruin it. But hear are my thoughts & feelings.


So I've highlighted maybe 50-60% of this book I couldn't stop myself! I was drawn in from the first page, first sentence.
"My life began with an idea a stitch"
At that moment I knew this was going to be something special, something fresh, unique.
This book didn't go down how I expected!
I'm not overly sure what I expected, but just when I thought I knew what was going down, I was proven wrong!
When I thought I had the characters pegged out I was wrong, boy was I wrong. #ALot
My feelings changed with every flip of the page.
Those I hated, I empathised with. those I loved, I ended up loathing. All except for caelum. He wormed his way in to my heart with His determination, devotion & strength.

Ok so enough of my ramblings, this book may not be for everyone but I for one loved it! If you love trying new literature and not to stuck in your ways I urge you to het this book xx

Copy kindly provided by yolanda in exchange for honest review. #sorryformybabble xx
Profile Image for Claire Newman.
49 reviews
March 23, 2015
***Copy generously provided in return for an honest review***

Yolanda Olson has created a masterpiece which is so complex, so creative, and so outside of the proverbial box with UNWOUND.

It is quite simply a plot of pure genius. It's so uniquely beautiful in it's own right, and far far beyond anything which I have ever read before.

The blurb was the ultimate selling factor for me, and was way beyond excited to be offered a copy for review.

Yolanda's style of writing in UNWOUND is amazing, you never quite know where the story is going or what to expect along the way. There is no guessing the plot with this story. But that's what pedestals this one and places it into a league all of it's very own.

UNWOUND is filled to the brim with twists and turns. With shocks and surprises. The story keeps you sucked in, never wanting you to put it down until you reach the very last full stop. The details within the pages are spectacular, and clearly shows just how talented an author Yolanda truly is.

Giving too much of this story away would just be the ultimate sin on my part, so you'll just have to read it to experience the amazing journey for yourselves :)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A MASSIVE 5 STAR READ
Profile Image for Linda Cotter.
662 reviews20 followers
April 1, 2015
I jumped into this book because it was by Yolanda, and I really enjoy how she writes.
I started reading, and was instantly swept up into the story.
Told from a male POV, we meet the main character. He's a tortured...creation. Part man, part machine, he was created by London and, as far as he was told, he was the only one completed. Constantly hearing the clicking of the cogs in his body, he longs to get away from London's torture. Being taken apart and put back together, he has never known comfort. Why is she doing this? Why is she torturing him? He cannot figure any of it out. Calling her mother, he realizes he doesn't know love, or compassion. But he has a plan. He's going to escape. He's going to get away. Then he will return and destroy Mother. He just needs to figure out how.
An emotional ride through the eyes of what should be an unemotional character, we see him meet people, make friends, and find his purpose.
I'm hoping more is on the way, and wanted to keep reading!! Great job, Yolanda!!
Profile Image for Kim Pruitt.
312 reviews
June 25, 2015
**Book provided by the author for an honest review**

This story was about a bat sheep crazy woman by the name of London Blackhouse whom created half human half machine beings. Number 3257 was the only male she created and she apparently hated him because she kept him locked in a room all the time and tortured him for no known reason. Number 3257 escapes and discovers first hand what the real world outside his prison is like and discovers new friends, foes and himself.

The story was ok. The story flow was nice and steady. I never felt bored but it was missing that dash of excitement and action to really kick it up a notch. The book just wasn't my cup of tea. I would have enjoyed more danger, instead of exploration. I know the character development is essential but maybe too much took away from being able to add that exciting element to Caelum's character. I do recommend this book for people who like Frankenstein, this book reminded me a lot of it at first but then had a great twist to it towards the end.
Profile Image for Sharon Obelenus Holland.
442 reviews5 followers
March 9, 2015
In today's world, what happens when a genius goes off the deep end? In this book, the talented author, Yolanda Olson, takes us into the mind of the genius BUT also the things he creates. Caelum can't handle his life anymore. His "mother" London gets great enjoyment out of hurting him, but she wants the prefect child. So she wont finish him, in fact she takes him a part only to put something else on him. She gives him only 2 feelings, fear and pain. When finally he has had enough, Caelum escapes. He makes a few friends, but when he receives a package from London containing a eye, from his first friend, he knows he has to kill her. When he meets Edison, he wants to be left alone, but Edison wont go, instead he cares for him, then takes him to his cabin to "help" him. But he is NEVER out of London's radar...or her other toys. So many questions to find answers to, before revenge can take place...Caelum's number one question.....Why???
Profile Image for Raina.
4,193 reviews34 followers
April 26, 2015
Independent Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock

I give it 4 fangs.

Unwound by Yolanda Olson, is a stand alone book. I suggest this book for adults, because of some of the violence within.

The main character is Caelum. From the start you know Caelum isn’t a normal boy, but was constructed from machine and human parts. His creator/mother is London. London is a genius but is totally insane. Caelum loves London because she created him, but his hatred for her is much stronger.

Through the story you learn more of Caelum’s life and his trials to trust those around him. He meets several people. Some human and some like him. But he never seems able to completely trust anyone.

At the end of the book we finally get a glimpse into London’s past and what made her go insane.

The ending was definitely an unexpected twist.

If you like sci-fi with mystery, then I suggest this book.
Profile Image for Meagan Moyer.
Author 3 books6 followers
August 26, 2014
Are we born or are we created? To most, that would be a silly question. To Caelum, it's a perfectly normal thought. Made from bits and pieces of human and bits and pieces of machines, Caelum was "born" at the hands of London, his creator.

A lifetime of solitude and abuse help (formerly known as) Three Two Five Seven make the decision to leave London's house of maniacal torture forever. You'll be in awe of the detail that Olson put into the workings of Caelum and his thought processes. We never know how someone with no knowledge of the world and its inhabitants would perceive such simple things as a sparrow. Olson lets us see inside that mind.

The good and evil that we witness every day are thrown into the spotlight in Unwound as we see them through the eye of someone who is oblivious to the world outside the walls of London's mansion.

Meagan
Profile Image for Nicole Tillman.
Author 22 books35 followers
April 30, 2015
Yolanda's writing is different from anything I've ever read. It's not better it's not worse, it's just different. It suits the story. It took me a couple books to get used to her style, but once I did, I realized just how well she was able to get into character. And I think Unwound spotlights this talent perfectly. These human/machines/creations aren't born. They were never born. This isn't a tale of breathing life back into something that was already living. It's not a person coming back as something else. It's creation. Creation by a madwoman. And yet, that madwoman isn't what you expect in the beginning. I expected this to be a fresh new version of Frankenstein, but it wasn't. It was so much more. It's like she took that idea and ran with it, then dove head first into a pool of awesomeness and badassery.
Profile Image for BeautyandtheBooks.
272 reviews17 followers
May 1, 2015
This book isn't usually something I would read. I also do not regret one word or one page. Wow! It was beautiful and gruesome, sad and sick. Not for one second did I know what was going to happen next. There is nothing predictable in this book. You think you're starting to finally understand London and Caleum, but you don't fully understand until the end. I absolutely loved everything about this story. It's nothing like I have ever read before. The way the characters, events, and places are described in this book are so vivid. You see everything clear as day happening in your head. More so than any book I've probably read before. Just like Morrison and London, Yolanda Olson, is a seamstress of words. I couldn't put this book down!
Profile Image for Kristin.
350 reviews19 followers
April 21, 2015
I just knew I would love this book! Simply freaking one of a kind. I truly hope it doesn't stay as a stand-alone.

Caelum finally makes a attempt to leave his "mother" and he has so far beaten the odds so to speak even though he needed repairs every now and then.

A new insane version of Frankenstein with the views of a mad women named London. Although in some ways I do feel for this bat **** crazy lady that builds people/machines just so they can feel pain and keep torturing them and then rebuilding them up. For sure a one of a kind read and truly hope there's more.
Profile Image for Brittany.
348 reviews11 followers
August 28, 2015
Had a good storyline that had potential but the grammar and mistakes in this book was horrible. I had a really hard time even finishing this book because of those mistakes I also found myself drifting off into space while reading.... so all in all 1 and 1/2 stars that mostly go to the storyline that was dark and demented that I would have liked if the book was edited right before published! OMG just noticed that this book scored a 4.6 overall with reviews... ok people this shows you never to trust that score!!!
Profile Image for Melissa Atkins.
1 review
August 3, 2013
I just finished reading this book and I loved it so much I couldn't put it down. It has inspired me in creative ways. You really feel for the characters. I found that there were some deeper meanings hidden within the story that are portrayed in unusual ways but are still very clear. My only issue is that it ended, but not all is lost as I hear there is a part #2 in the making's :D I would definitely recommend it!
Profile Image for Jennyfer Moorman.
89 reviews5 followers
April 29, 2015
The lovely yolandas gifted me this book for an honest review and here it is
God I love yolandas style of writing , so much talent , this book I found fascinating as I've never come across one like it, a great fresh read that kept me entertained, I love coming across unique stories that are completely different then I normally read, if your looking for a different kind of read then this is definitely worth a read I have it 5 stars
Profile Image for Megan Fryman.
58 reviews3 followers
August 3, 2015
My true review is more like a 2.5. This was an extremely sick and twisted story. It had good potential and some interesting parts, but I had trouble getting into it. Also, I'm not sure how someone could get a book published and past an editor with the number of spelling mistakes, omitted words, poor grammar, and lack of correct punctuation. I found myself extremely annoyed by the utter disregard for these as I read the book. I want my author to value the art of the written word.
26 reviews6 followers
August 27, 2015
I feel like the author had a good idea with this book but she should have spent a little more time gathering her thoughts before writing it. She didn't follow through on many of her thoughts and the grammar mistakes were terrible and on every other page! It made jt difficult to read. Not my favorite book and I doubt I'll read anything else written by her.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
15 reviews4 followers
December 4, 2015
This book was right up my alley....dark and twisty! I loved every glorious minute of it. The story line unfolded beautifully and just when you suspect you know what is going to happen or how this story will end....you don't. Caelum and London's story is one that is beautifully tragic and it simply cannot stop here...Yolanda's story will be forever stitched in my heart.❤
Profile Image for Jessie Sprinkle.
32 reviews1 follower
March 20, 2015
Beautiful, crazy, amazing! Pure madness and a heart wrenching storyline full of twists and turns along with some deep love. The things you do for the ones you love..... this was just so perfectly put together and cohesive. Just fabulous!
1 review
March 12, 2015
I absolutely loved this book. Yolanda's style of writing, as well as the story itself, are unique and fascinating. She keeps you intrigued throughout!
Profile Image for Sarah.
Author 3 books11 followers
April 30, 2015
Wow a book that was fun if twist and plots changes a Modern day frankinstein but with more twist. Yolanda another amazing book with a total different style of writting
Profile Image for Yvonne Evans.
434 reviews9 followers
August 4, 2018
The directions she takes you in.

This book took me a minute to get into but once I settled in I couldn't out it down. London's backstory is so sad , no wonder she was so deranged. Caleum while dealing with his pain and the love hate relationship with mothee/London tries to come to terms with his feelings and end London's reign of terror. So enjoyed the twists in this book.
Profile Image for Bridgett Brown.
830 reviews48 followers
December 16, 2019
First off, I've read almost all of this author's books. She has a way of telling a story, you get sucked in. In this story, We read about Caelum and London. Caelum was "created" by London. He only knows what London teaches him. But London created him with only 2 emotions Fear and Pain. London constantly tortures Caelum. Finally he has taken all he can, and he runs away. On the way he meets a young boy who gives him his first true gift, a not quite human who gives him his name, a woman named Morrison and more of London's creations. Finally he realizes that he wasn't the only one that London "created". Even though Caelum only started with 2 emotions. The time on the run from London has made him learn so many emotions that he now knows what he must do. He must stop London at all costs.
Profile Image for Janneke Wolbers.
475 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2016
At first i really did not like London! But then it all became clear to why she was like that and did the things she did... I still didnt like her but now i knew she was capable of human emotions.

Caelum.. Damn... He isnt a boy... Not a man either... But i feel for him..

This book gave me all kinds of thoughts.. From anger to pity and everything in between.
I loved it.. But then again Yolanda writes the most strange, gruesome stories out there.
15 reviews4 followers
June 29, 2015
This book was like nothing I've read before! !!!! I fell in Love with Caelum, the things he endured . Yolanda is one of the best authors ever . she can write in any genre and anything she's written is fantastic! !!!!! once you've got a taste, your an addict
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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